The document discusses encouragement and how it differs from praise. Encouragement gives specific information to build confidence without approval and helps children feel good about themselves. It acknowledges effort and progress rather than just the final product. Encouragement demonstrates acceptance of differences and supports struggling children. The language of encouragement builds confidence, shows appreciation, acknowledges effort, demonstrates acceptance, and supports struggling children. Encouragement should never be insincere.

1. Encouragement
EC 167

2. What is Encouragement?
 Goes further than praise does
◦ Gives particular information to children
 Is rather like the second part of
specific praise
 Is not a reward or approval
 Helps children know they can feel
good about themselves without
someone else’s approval

3. Why Should We Use
Encouragement?

4. 1. Builds confidence
 Shows that we have faith in the child’s
ability
◦ Goes back to IALAC
 Can include an acknowledgement of
something being difficult
◦ Provides validation
◦ Is not just “empty” encouragement

5. 2. Shows appreciation
 Helps the child know his/her kind,
friendly, etc. actions have been seen
 Shows the child the impact his/her
actions have on other people

6. 3. Acknowledges effort
 Effort and improvement are just as
important as the final product.
 Acknowledges the steps of progress
on the way to the final product
◦ “I’m proud of you” versus “You must feel
proud”
 Shows the child we’re paying attention
to his/her efforts

7. 4. Demonstrates acceptance
 Acceptance is different than approval.
◦ A child’s preferences may be different
than our preferences – and that’s okay.
◦ “I like that” versus “You seem to like that.”

8. 5. Supports a struggling child
 Encouragement even has a place
when a child is struggling with a
problem or has made a mistake.
 Asks the child to think about what
he/she can do to solve the problem or
satisfy the need

9. The “Language of Self-Esteem”
1. Builds confidence
2. Shows appreciation
3. Acknowledges effort
4. Demonstrates acceptance
5. Supports a struggling child
 Is never false or insincere

10. Infants and Young Toddlers
 We can still verbalize encouragement
to non-verbal children.
◦ Their receptive language is much higher
than their expressive language.
 When we see them accomplish
something, we can offer
encouragement.
◦ The child will feel excitement based on
our reaction.

11. Assignment
 Now it’s time to practice!
 Take a step beyond specific praise to
think about encouraging children.
 Type up with 1-5 format and submit.